Prices, rents, fees: What will change at the Studierendenwerk in 2026 - and why

The Studierendenwerk Oldenburg is adjusting its rents and meal prices at the turn of the year. The student union fee will also increase. We know that these steps will be a heavy burden for many of you. We would like to explain exactly what is planned and why we have made this difficult decision.

1. Canteen prices

On 1 January 2026, we will raise the prices in the canteens.

The fixed prices will change as follows (prices for students)

Small stew: from 0.75 to 0.90 euros
Choice of pizza at the pizza station: from 4.65 to 5.00 euros
Pasta: from 2.20 to 2.50 euros
Salad side dishes (small bowl): from 0.45 to 0.50 euros
Soup (small bowl): 0.45 to 0.60 euros
Starch side dishes (small bowls): 0.45 to 0.50 euros
Vegetable side dishes (small bowls): 0.45 to 0.55 euros
Desserts: 0.50 to 0.55 euros

• new surcharge for main courses for guests: 2.10 euros
• new surcharge for side dishes for guests: 0.75 euros
• The surcharges for staff remain unchanged.

We will also be increasing the prices in the cafeteria over the next few months.

But there is also good news: in 2026 we will be offering you the Lower Saxony menu again. This will give you a mostly vegan, sometimes vegetarian main course every day for a maximum of 2.50 euros.

2. Rents in the residential complexes

From 1 April 2026, the basic rents in our halls of residence will increase by an average of 10 percent. However, the basic rent only makes up part of the total rent, the other part being the energy and operating costs. The latter are not affected by the increase. Ultimately, this results in an average increase in the total rent of around 5 per cent.

3. Student union fee

The student union fee will increase by €20 to €118 (Oldenburg, Emden, Wilhelmshaven) or €111 (Elsfleth) for the summer semester 2026. The fee will then be increased by a further €20 for the 2027 summer semester.

The student union fee is included in the semester fee, which you must transfer to your university for enrolment or re-registration. This fee includes other items such as the Deutschlandticket and the administration fee.

With the student union fee, all students jointly finance the services offered by the student union that do not generate their own income. In particular, the extensive, free counselling services offered by the Studierendenwerk and cultural funding would otherwise not be possible.

Why are these increases necessary?

These steps are a noticeable additional burden for students. We are aware of this and we have not made these decisions lightly. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to take this path in order to maintain our programmes to the extent that you are familiar with.

→ Massive increase in costs

In recent years, costs have risen massively in all key areas. From 2021 to 2024, it looked like this:

• Energy: + 46 %
• Food: + 33.4 %
• General inflation: + 19.3 %

In addition, personnel costs are rising due to collective wage agreements, with an increase of 5.5 % for 2025 alone.

→ Discontinuation of special funds

In recent years, we have received temporary special funding from the state of Lower Saxony, with which we were able to absorb a large part of the cost increases. As a result, prices and rents at the Studierendenwerk were not raised for years, or only slightly. With the discontinuation of the special funds, the price increases of recent years must now be taken over retrospectively (and in addition to current inflation) in the cost calculations.

→ Insufficient financial aid from the state

The state of Lower Saxony provides financial aid to a total of five student services organisations. However, this financial aid is nowhere near high enough to cover a significant proportion of our costs. The share of financial aid in the Studierendenwerk's income was only 9.5 per cent in 2024.

Together with the other student unions in Lower Saxony, we have campaigned for the state of Lower Saxony to increase its financial aid at least enough to cover the regular cost increases. The student representatives have also campaigned for this with state-wide days of action - unfortunately without success.

Nevertheless, the Studierendenwerk contribution remains moderate in comparison:

The fees of the other four student unions in Lower Saxony will be between 130 and 157 euros in winter semester 26/27, while the fee of the Studierendenwerk Oldenburg will be 118 euros. Our contribution therefore remains the lowest in the whole of Lower Saxony - even though we have the most comprehensive range of support services for students.

Appeal to politicians

As long as the state of Lower Saxony does not improve the funding of the Studierendenwerke, we will have no choice but to redistribute the rising costs to the students. Otherwise, facilities would have to be closed and support services discontinued. The Studierendenwerk Oldenburg therefore appeals to the state politicians to finally provide the Studierendenwerke with the financial resources they need to fulfil their core task in the long term: To create the social framework conditions for successful studies.